jw411, excellent post.
The fact of the matter is that these crew members faced the most difficult emergency that pilots can face.
The reality is that in the event of a cargo or cockpit fire, it is virtually impossible to clear smoke from the flight deck. In the event of a main cargo area fire, smoke/superheated gasses will get to the flightdeck eventually. (Even if the procedures to limit smoke are followed.) Donning goggles and O2 masks will buy some time, but the lack of clear vision will render aircraft control impossible at some point. Checklist procedures may be fine in a training scenario, but ultimately, the only solution is to get the airplane on the ground and get out.
I have had firsthand experience with smoke in a cockpit, and it is unbelievable how rapidly the ability to see the panel deteriorates. In seconds I could not see the instrument panel or the guy sitting 3 feet away. Fortunately, we were able to identify the source, and stop the smoke.
If this was indeed a cargo fire, then cargo compartment fire extinguishing and EVAS must be mandated. Fire suppression won't cut it. Crews must be able to extinguish a fire and get the aircraft on the ground.